108 VEGECULTURE 



know the Pumpkin. One or two slices of Pumpkin in almost 

 any fruit-pie imparts a rich and delicious flavour, and itself 

 constitutes an excellent fruit for all purposes. Culture of these 

 vegetable-fruits may be generally put on a level with Ridge 

 Cucumbers and Vegetable Marrows, with the exception that 

 they require more room. A hotbed, or mound of fermenting 

 materials, should be provided for Pumpkin-growing, and the 

 plants, raised under glass, should be put out as early as the 

 weather conditions permit, in order to secure a good start. The 

 object of the fermenting materials is simply to provide initial 

 heat to ensure strong and swift growth. Plenty of water and 

 liquid manure are the usual essentials, as well as the careful 

 training and disposal of the shoots so as to prevent overcrowd- 

 ing. In this respect it must be remembered that Pumpkins 

 are very rampant plants a point that no doubt explains their 

 absence from the smaller garden and they cover much space ; 

 but their large handsome leaves and novel fruit are compensa- 

 tions to all who enjoy the beautiful, and their space-absorbing 

 proclivities may be curtailed by training them by means of 

 wire-netting frames placed slanting against fences and walls 

 for many feet along such walls or fences ; and nothing can be 

 more effective. An old tree-stump, low shed, manure-heap, 

 or rubbish-shoot can be beautified and utilized in a remarkable 

 manner by planting Pumpkins near them. The ripe fruits may 

 be hung up in a dry, frost-proof shelter all the winter, and used 

 with vegetables in stews and soups, as fruits in pies, tarts, and 

 fruit-salads ; and the tops of the shoots may be gathered, 

 when no further fruits are wanted, and, boiled like Spinach, 

 will prove a most delicious and tasty vegetable dish. Pumpkin 

 and Vegetable Marrow Preserves are delicious. 



THE SQUASH is a similar subject to the Pumpkin, and requires 

 the same treatment. 



There are several kinds of both plants. The Mammoth 

 Hundredweight green, white, yellow, red are huge novel 

 fruits, and are suited to jam, preserve, or marmalade-manu- 

 facture and pumpkin pies. The Spanish Gourd is also ex- 

 cellent. A packet of seeds of mixed varieties will delight any 

 gardener. There is, of course, no necessity for allowing these 

 fruits to attain large size ; they are delicious when small and 

 young. 



ORNAMENTAL GOURDS are not all of an edible nature, and 

 should not be grown for that purpose ; but, trained to stakes, 

 canes, trellises, fences, wires, arches, and pergolas, are about 



